Wikireader FAQ draft

Doug Jones dj6mf at frombob.to
Wed Dec 29 03:15:05 CET 2010


Christoph Pulster wrote:
> Any comments welcome !
> 
> Chris
> 
> 
> Openmoko Wikireader - Frequently asked questions
> ------------------------------------------------
> 
> - dimensions ?
> 
> The Wikireaders size is 10x10cm with 2cm depth, Weight: 120g. Compare it here:
> PICTURES
> 
> 
> - handling ?
> 
> The unit has only three buttons and is very easy to use.
> The touchscreen display can be navigated with the fingers (no need for a stylus)
> and is easy to read indoors and out.
> The case is very robust and the organic shape is a joy to hold.
> Explicit Wikipedia content can be protected with a password. So the Wikireader
> is kid-safe.
> 
> - manual ?
> 
> The unit comes with a small printed manual. Please find a PDF copy here:
> http://thewikireader.com/files/WR_Manual_V4_en.pdf
> 
> - power ?
> 
> The Wikireader uses two standard batteries (size AAA) which last for a full year of usage.
> No annoying discharged battery, no fittling with power adapters.


fittling > fiddling


> This makes the device helpful while travelling in the Australian outbacks.


Rechargeable 1.2V AAA batteries can be used in place of standard 1.5V ones.


> 
> - Languages ?
> 
> Please see a list of available languages here: http://dev.thewikireader.com/language-packs
> Several languages can be used simultaneously.
> Additional languages can be installed with the Update application from Openmoko:
> http://www.thewikireader.com/update/
> After installation, you can choose language on the Wikireader by touching the globe symbol
> on the search page.
> 
> 
> - Quickupdate GERMAN ?
> 
> Remove memory card from Wikireader, insert it in your PC-cardreader.
> Download FILE, extract and copy directory "depedia" to the memory card.
> Put the card back to the Wikireader and German language is now available !
> 
> 
> - Update ?
> 
> Please download the Openmoko Update Application here:
> http://www.thewikireader.com/update
> The Wikireader content is updated quaterly from Openmoko and is always free to download !
> 
> 
> 
> - eBooks ?
> 
> Next to Wikipedia you can use simultaneously the eBooks from Project Gutenberg.
> Project Gutenberg on WikiReader contains the eBooks from http://gutenberg.org (but not http://gutenberg.cc). You will need to upgrade to a 16 GB memory card.
> The Gutenberg eBooks can be downloaded with the Openmoko Update Application:
> http://www.thewikireader.com/update
> 

  - Other kinds of content ?

Any wiki that runs on MediaWiki software ( 
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki ) can be converted to the 
WikiReader format and copied to the memory card.  In addition to many 
language versions of Wikipedia and the eBooks from Project Gutenberg, 
the English Wiktionary ( 
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Main_Page ) and Wikiquote ( 
http://www.wikiquote.org/ ) have already been converted and are 
available on the Update page ( 
http://dev.thewikireader.com/language-packs/ ).  There is enough room on 
a 16GB card to fit one Wikipedia, Gutenberg, Wikiquote and Wiktionary, 
all at the same time, with gigabytes to spare.

There are many other language versions of Wikipedia that have not been 
converted to WikiReader format yet, and many other kinds of useful wikis 
that are suitably licensed for free redistribution as well.  WikiReader 
users who have the required skills, and an itch to scratch, are 
encouraged to convert these and offer them to the community.



- Custom content?

For more technically inclined users:  You can put custom content in your 
WikiReader by first uploading it into a wiki running on MediaWiki and 
then doing an xml dump as described at 
http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/XML_dump#XML_dump .  The dump is then 
converted to WikiReader format using the Python program found in the 
WikiReader git tree ( https://github.com/wikireader/wikireader ) .

Creating an empty private wiki is easy, and it only takes minutes to get 
started.  First install VirtualBox ( http://www.virtualbox.org/ ) and 
then within it, install a MediaWiki appliance ( 
http://www.turnkeylinux.org/mediawiki ).  When you start the appliance, 
it displays a URL that you enter into your web browser.  Then you add 
content and edit it in the usual wiki way.



> 
> - more functionality ?
> 
> Calculator = press and hold History-button while powering the Wikireader on.
> System applications = press and hold Search-button while powering the Wikireader on.
> Debug console (GPIO) for developers = press and hold Random-button while powering on.
> Forth programms - the Wikireader can execute Forth written code (check *.4th, *.4mu files in root dir on the memory card)
> 
> 
> - developement ?
> 
> You can find source code, technical specifications etc. here:
> https://github.com/wikireader/wikireader
> A SDK can be found here: http://wrdk.seabright.co.nz/
> 
> (C) Wikireader Shop www.pulster.de
> ----
> 
> 
> Christoph
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> community at lists.openmoko.org
> http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
> 




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